Photovac Laser – Worldwide

Summer time typically bring us many problems with lasers that have been cooled improperly. RF exciters either internal or external and laser tube failures are due to chillers either not cooling properly or being set improperly. As the room temperature rises so should your chiller temperature to maintain consistency between the room ambient temperature and relative humidity (consult your installation guide). A typical setting for most lasers is 72 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Setting your chiller in the low to mid 60’s will definitely cause your equipment to sweat.  Always run the chiller when the laser is in operation. While newer RF lasers have internal thermostats to turn the system off, it should never be considered full proof. NEVER turn the chiller on in the morning and let it run for hours without using the laser. This will inevitable lead to moisture developing on the cooling lines and damage the RF. It doesn’t mater if there copper or plastic the lines, they will sweat. The laser running is the compensating balance of heat to the chillers balance of cooling. You should never use one without the other.
Your chiller should be monitored with a simple thermocouple you can purchase at Amazon. They also sell dew point gauges at very little expense. You should check to make sure your filter is clean and your flow is adequate for your laser tube. Some chillers have a screen filter in the bottom of the water reservoir. Overtime this filter “will” plug up or calcify. The end result looks like a black glob at the bottom of the water reservoir.
You should also ways remove the chiller every six months, take it outside to blow the radiator out. The radiator is just like your outside air conditioner at home. Dust, wood particles and other particulate quickly gather in the radiator. Always blow the radiator out in the opposite direction of airflow.
The chiller should always use distilled H20. This cuts down on algae growth. I also use 1/2 cup of 70% alcohol. This maintains a  clean, fresh water environment guaranteed not to grow ugly stuff in the reservoir.